Jeremy M. Jacobs Sr. is worth a reported $3.1 billion as chairman and chief executive officer of Buffalo-based Delaware North, one of the world’s largest concession companies.

Jacobs’ ownership of the NHL’s Boston Bruins could prove to be a stumbling block, given that NFL rules bar teams from being owned by people who own franchises in other sports leagues unless that other team is located in the same city as the NFL franchise.

In 2012 interviews with The News, the Jacobs family and a top aide appeared to send mixed signals.

“As long as the family has the ownership of the Bruins, they can’t own anything related to the Bills,” said Wendy Watkins, a Delaware North spokeswoman.

To which Jacobs’ son, Jeremy Jr., said: “That said, we will do what we can to ensure that the Bills stay in this town.

NFL rules state that Jeremy M. Jacobs could not buy the Bills as long as he owns the Bruins. NFL rules bar teams from being owned by people who own franchises in other sports leagues unless that other team is located in the same city as the NFL franchise.

There is speculation that one or more of his six children would lead an effort to buy the Bills as long as they divested themselves of any holdings in the Bruins. The Buffalo News report says the NFL would have to look at the specifics of any deal.

New York Senator Charles Schumer is growing more confident the Bills will be able to remain in New York State after the team is sold.

"I am even more optimistic this week than I was last week that we can keep the Bills in Buffalo,” said Schumer, D-N.Y., who serves on the Bills’ new stadium working group.
“We have a lot of tools in our tool kit.”